TURKEY: China Southern Airlines, China's Largest Airline To Fly More Chinese Tourists To Istanbul

China Southern Airlines, the country's largest airline, is introducing the world's largest passenger aircraft - the Airbus 380 - on its Istanbul route, due to an increased interest in Turkey.

The use of such aircraft and Turkey's flag carrier Turkish Airlines' (THY) new destinations in China, including the central northwestern city of Xi'an, will help Chinese companies bring more tourists to Turkey.

Turkey has seen high interest from Chinese tourists in recent years, boosted by improving cultural and economic ties between the two countries.

According to the Culture and Tourism Ministry data, some 292,000 Chinese citizens came to Turkey in the first eight months of this year, an increase of 12.66% compared to the same period last year.

If this upward trend continues, the number of Chinese tourists is expected to hit 500,000 by the end of the year.

As Chinese airlines launched flights to Turkey one after another to get their share, Chinese companies with existing lines to Turkey have also scheduled additional flights from new destinations.

Last May, China Southern Airlines launched flights from Wuhan, the largest city in Central China with a population of around 11 million, in addition to its Beijing line.

Regarded as China's largest airline in terms of fleet, the company schedules flights from Beijing's Capital airport. And the airline is now planning to carry more passengers to Turkey by expanding the type of aircraft due to intense demand from its citizens.

With necessary permits, the company will resume its flight from Daxing, the second airport of Beijing, to Istanbul Airport with the Airbus 380, which can carry up to 853 passengers in a single-class economy configuration or 555 passengers if in a three-class configuration.

China marked Turkey Tourism Year in 2018 and hosted dozens of events around the country. Around 400,000 Chinese tourists visited Turkey last year.

This number is expected to approach 500,000 this year and surpass 750,000 by 2020. The number of Chinese tourists in the country is expected to rise to 1 million in two years.

Chinese citizens mostly visit Cappadocia, one of the prominent destinations frequented by Chinese tourists in Turkey, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Istanbul.

Meanwhile, Airbus 380s could not use now-closed Atatürk Airport except for special operations due to the lack of suitable runways and taxiways.

However, with runways, taxiways and passenger bridges fit for wide-body aircraft, Istanbul Airport can easily accommodate the A380.

Airbus previously announced that it would halt the production of A380 passenger aircraft and that the final delivery would take place in 2021.

The A380 has a body length of 73 meters, a height of 24 meters, and a wingspan of 80 meters. The aircraft can fly at a top speed of 1,185 kilometers per hour, with a range of 14,800 kilometers.

China Southern Airlines Company Limited is an airline headquartered in Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.

Established on 1 July 1988 following the restructuring of the CAAC Airlines that acquired and merged a number of domestic airlines, the airline became one of China's "Big Three" airlines alongside Air China and China Eastern Airlines, the world's seventh-largest airline measured by passengers carried and Asia's largest airline in fleet size, revenue, and passengers carried.

With its main hubs at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, the airline operates more than 2,000 flights to more than 200 destinations daily and was a member of SkyTeam until 1 January 2019.

The airline started a frequent flyer program partnership with American Airlines in March 2019. The logo of the airline consists of a kapok flower which is also the city flower of Guangzhou on a blue tail fin.

The parent company of China Southern Airlines Company Limited is China Southern Air Holding Company, a state-owned enterprise that was supervised by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.

China Southern is headquartered in the China Southern Air Building at 68 Qixin Road in Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.

It was previously at 278 Jichang Airport Road in Baiyun District.

China Southern had plans to open a new headquarters facility on a 988-acre (400 ha) site on the outskirts of Guangzhou, about 4 miles (6.4 km) from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Woods Bagot won a competition for the architect firm which would design the facility.

The proposed site consists of two parcels of land on opposite sides of a highway leading to Baiyun Airport; both sites are shaped like wings. The site will have a bridge and light rail system that operates above the highway to connect the two parcels, which will each have distinct functions.

For instance, the east parcel will house internal functions such as the data center facilities, staff dormitories, and the training center. The airline wants it to be aesthetically pleasing from the air since it sits below a runway approach.

The site will have a lot of outdoor space, which Woods Bagot designed along with Hargreaves Associates and Sherwood Design Engineers.

Jean Weng, a Woods Bagot Beijing-based principal, said most Chinese cities are very dense and very urban, but China Southern wants to create a human-scale campus, that's close to nature. The new headquarters was opened in August 2016.

China Southern Airlines serves 193 destinations in 35 different countries worldwide.

It maintains a strong presence in the domestic market with its main hubs at Beijing Capital International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with secondary hubs at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, and Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, along with other focus cities in Changchun, Changsha, Dalian, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Wuhan, and Zhengzhou.

The airline plans to continue to develop Chongqing and Urumqi as hubs as well to exploit the domestic market potential.

China Southern offers 485 flights a day from its Guangzhou hub and 221 from its Beijing hub. The airline provides services to 65 international destinations.

Most of the international flights link Guangzhou with world cities. There are also plenty of international flights operated through Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi notably to Central Asia and Dalian to Japan, South Korea, and Russia.

China Southern Airlines has developed an extensive network to Southeast Asia and also has become the Chinese airline with the largest presence in Australia.

China Southern is also considering expanding into the South American markets, as well as further expansion into the African market.

Guangzhou Baiyun aircraft collision: On 2 October 1990, a hijacked Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737 crashed into a China Southern Airlines Boeing 757, killing 128 people from both aircraft.

China Southern Airlines Flight 3943: On 24 November 1992, China Southern Airlines Flight 3943, a Boeing 737-300, crashed into a hill near Guilin, Guangxi, due to an engine thrust malfunction. All 141 people on board were killed.

China Southern Flight 3456: On 8 May 1997, China Southern Flight 3456, a Boeing 737-300, crashed on approach to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport killing 35 people and injuring 9.

On 13 November 2017, China Southern Flight 6406, a Boeing 737-800, with 151 passengers, was en route at 7800 meters (FL256) about 90 nm southwest of Changsha (China) when the crew received a cargo smoke indication and decided to divert to Changsha Huanghua International Airport.

The aircraft landed safely on runway 36 about 20 minutes later. The crew initiated an emergency evacuation via slides; one passenger was injured - sprained ankle during the evacuation. Emergency services found no trace of fire, heat or smoke.

On 5 January 2018, during a blizzard that hit the northeastern United States, a China Southern Boeing 777-300ER's wingtip struck the tail end of a Kuwait Airways Boeing 777 while taxiing at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, causing damage to both aircraft. Nobody was injured.

In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ordered China Southern Airlines to pay $11,600 in fines for violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) during the airline's transport of monkeys to laboratories in the United States.

The USDA found the airline had transported more than 1,000 monkeys into the United States without federal permission to do so and had transported the animals in insecure crates.

Previously, the airline had been ordered to pay $14,438 for AWA violations during one transport that left more than a dozen monkeys dead after they went without food and water for an extended period of time.

Following these most recent violations, China Southern announced that it would no longer transport monkeys to laboratories. PETA had protested against the airline for these shipments.

TURKEY: Istanbul Airport Installed With 10,500 Cameras, The Airport Cost $11.7 Billion To Build

Istanbul Airport, which will be the world's biggest international airport once it is completed, not only stands out with its huge passenger capacity but also its ground-breaking technologies for security and making life easier for passengers.

Istanbul Airport, with its 200-million passenger capacity, will not only be the world's largest airport, but it is also the biggest information technology project in the Turkish Republic's history.

It brings together the world's biggest technology companies and has showcased the potential of Turkish engineers in the IT sector.

It is also the world's first airport deemed worthy of a Tier 3 data center technology certificate and has the world's most contemporary models in the field of airport information technology.

Airport officials from different parts of the world are visiting Turkey to explore this brand new model. Leading the team that marked this success is IGA Systems General Manager Ersin İnankul.

He discussed how they designed this IT project with a TL 208-million budget in 2015 and how they prepared for the inauguration of the airport on Oct. 29, 2018.

İnankul said that they drew the road map for the project in April 2015, with a focus on integrating information technologies into all airport operations one step at a time.

This is known as the Master System Integration in the field of airport information technology. Thanks to this design, we could build a smart airport step by step, he said.

İnankul added that: You first make a list of the essentials for a smart airport. For example, building management systems and fire alarm systems are indispensable.

There is also a second list including baggage claim, baggage drop, automatic baggage drop, kiosks, Wi-Fi infrastructure, services provided to passengers, inflight Wi-Fi and the design of flight screens.

The third important point is where this airport must stand in terms of technology. Some 72 systems were required to make this airport the smartest on the planet. At the point we have reached so far, everything is integrated.

We set up a system including smart terminal buildings, in which the relevant flight data are conveyed to us while the plane is arriving. This data keeps running until the moment the plane lands.

After all the data is collected, we can automatically give an invoice before the plane turns back within two hours.

He added that many airlines have so far entered the airport, which is gradually transitioning into the full-capacity mode. He said that digital systems such as automation and baggage scan are currently being tested.

He pointed out that the new airport has started hosting international flights, and said: Everything is ready on our side. We're now expecting the airline companies to flock to the airport.

İnankul said that the airport IT systems were completed in 2017. IT always takes the rearmost in a quick-paced project since the completion of the building is awaited first.

We made a smart move on this point and decided to establish a data center that comprises around 6,000 servers on an area of 4,000 square meters, independent of all the buildings inside. And we designated a data center for the airport only and allow for service sales in next stages.

We began working on this data center in 2016 and finished it within eight months. It was the first building completed in the airport, which actually shows the importance we attach to data. We moved into the building and set up the systems in 2017.

So, we were ready by July 2017. We would not have completed the airport on the scheduled time had we not built that structure and waited for the data centers. This was exemplary work. Currently, many other airports consult us and I have attended various events as a speaker.

Dubai Al Maktoum is getting ready for a new airport. The first step they took was opening a tender for the data center. So, we have actually set a model, he said.

Istanbul Airport, the third in the city, will replace Atatürk International Airport as the main flight hub in country's most populated city.

İnankul credited the achievement to the projects multinational team that has so far established the informatics systems at 125 airports as well as the software companies, both Turkish and international, who kept up with this model during the working phase that started in 2015.

That part was challenging for us since a certain project management mindset is common in our country. We held the first meeting when we announced that we have kicked off work. We called everyone and said that we would hold weekly meetings, which everyone found absurd.

But still, we called the technical staff of all the supplier software companies to weekly meetings and their general managers to monthly meetings. We set monthly goals and calculated how many people could accomplish the goals in how many hours.

During the process, some companies brought the wrong hardware, and so we had to send for another delivery immediately with cargo aircraft. Some companies were left behind in software. We sent our teams to these companies, and they worked day and night.

Some of them failed in the integration part. Some global-scale giant companies failed to keep pace with the integration list we projected. They brought in British and Brazilian teams.

And when it did not happen, we formed a team from Turkey and assigned a colleague of ours as the team leader. We always intervened and took control of things when there were setbacks.

İnankul said cyber security is a crucial subject for an airport, adding that they use all the software employed in the airport after giving them a cyber security test and they constantly conduct tests within the institution regarding malware, stemming from a method known as "phishing."

He said that phishing and crypto attacks are the greatest cyber threats that can hamper airport operations. We cannot guarantee 100 percent security in the field of cybersecurity. Therefore, we conduct cybersecurity tests on every application we buy. We don't buy them if they fail these tests.

İnankul said that Turkey has one of the smartest cyber security centers established in the airport and this has been the most challenging part.

He added that eight people are working 24/7 in two cyber security centers and 10 are being trained to prevent the transmission of delicate and important information on the airport by the devices of the last users.

There are only a few people specialized in this area. So, we employed some people who we will teach and train, he added.

Every morning, İnankul starts working at the airport at 7 a.m. and goes on till midnight. He does not complain about it as he thinks that the results achieved are worth all the effort. We will provide all the services the world's best airports offer in terms of technology and comfort.

Don't worry, we will be the top airport in a couple of months and receive all the awards, said İnankul.

Galatasaray University, ASELSAN, İGA and Istanbul's public transport body İETT will sign a protocol for the production of a joint unmanned electric "golf buggy" and "İETT vehicle."

The golf buggy will serve the passengers in the terminal. This service can be purchased via the Home to Gate (IGA Mobil) application. The other vehicle is a 12-person capacity minibus that will serve outside the terminal.

The software development of the vehicles has been undertaken by İGA and Galatasaray University while the electric engine and steering systems will be developed by ASELSAN. The first prototypes of the vehicles are expected to operate in the airport within the next six months.

Home to gate app for smooth flight experience

The Home to Gate application, which will be launched at the end of this month, will make it easier for passengers to get ready for their next flight. The application organizes the time between the person leaving the house and arriving at the boarding gate.

When you choose Havaist, private car or taxi options, the learning algorithms of the application connect to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) and make traffic optimization, so you can adjust your pace and transportation means by checking how much time you have until the flight.

As you arrive at the airport, you can share your visual history on social media platforms, see which security gates are less busy, find the locations of restaurants and stores by checking out the map and learn how to reach your gate.

This application also enables you to use a golf-type electric car by buying a QR code, trace your baggage, make a quick transfer, benefit from lounge services and shop at the airport. The application also addresses foreign tourists by offering information about Istanbul.

The cyber-assistant will provide flight information after a passenger scans the boarding pass.

World's First Cyber Tower: The "Cyber Tower," located in the informatics center, projects the visuals of flight platforms and runways on a curved screen thanks to 17 mega cameras, eight of them can record at resolutions up to 100 megapixels.

As soon as a plane lands on the runway, the cameras project the registry numbers of the planes and all the relevant data on this screen. The Cyber Tower, which will operate 24/7, will end the era of using radio and binoculars.

Face Recognition and Biometric Pass: This will be the first airport in Turkey to employ a "digital pass," thanks to the biometric pass along with facial recognition technology.

After the passenger pays the departure fee for international flights, they can drop their baggage at a certain point, attach the baggage label and trace it through a mobile application.

They can scan their fingerprint after passing the security and cameras will auto-match the fingerprint and photo in the chip passport. In face recognition technology, a system named Kiwi developed by Cognitech is used.

The system has 97 percent success rates and is known for distinguishing even twins. After the required permits are granted by the end of this month, 30 million Turkish citizens having chip passports will benefit from this service.

Cyber-assistant: Thanks to the cyber assistant at the entrance of the airport, the passenger can be directly connected to an airport official by pressing a single button. The cyber-assistant will provide flight information after a passenger scans the boarding pass.

Cameras: There are 10,500 cameras at the new airport in total and they can be divided into three categories. This is a very large number considering that all of Istanbul has around 20,000 surveillance cameras.

Some 450 security cameras are hidden in various places around the airport can recognize among 5,000 people registered in the police databases via machine learning and alert the authorities.

Security cameras that can analyze human behavior can also alert the staff of luggage and bags left unattended for more than a few minutes.

Density-analysis cameras positioned at the top of the long columns at the entrance of the airport can analyze the number of people per 100 square meters and can relay heat density information to Home To Gate (IGA mobil), helping the system divert crowds to uncrowded gates.

Meanwhile, face-scanning cameras are used during passport checks.

Robots: The İGA will use two types of robots for help and security purposes. There are currently five robots that help travelers at the airport and they have been specially designed by Akınsoft.

The robots that have arms and hands like Pepper the robot; will be able to relay to travelers their flight information. İGA's security robots in comparison will initially have roles less visible to travelers.

The number and diversity of the robots employed at the airport are expected to increase over time.

License plate recognition: The airport uses a license plate recognition technology developed by Nack. Called, Divit the system can operate with a 96 percent success rate and detect suspicious vehicles before they enter the airport parking area.

Artificial intelligence: AI will be used to determine when the runways will require maintenance. Photos taken via GPS will be used in this process.

AI will also be employed in determining the temperature of critical rooms such as server rooms and depots. Algorithms will determine the optimum temperature and act accordingly to keep the rooms constantly at the right temperature.

Some 235 blue and white-collar workers within İGA, as well as workers for domestic and international supplier companies, bring the number of people working on the information systems of the Istanbul Airport to 942 in total. İGA's team has developed around 10 different software solutions.

Around 4,500 kilometers of copper and 800 kilometers of fiber optic cables have been laid at the airport.


Tourism Observer

TURKEY: Turkish Airlines Start First Flight From Istanbul To Mexico City And Cancun From 21 August 2019

As part of its network expansion for the 2019 year, Turkish Airlines has announced the upcoming launch of its first flight to Mexico. Kicking off from the 21 August 2019, the airline will operate a triangle route between Istanbul, Mexico City and Cancun.

According to the airline, the entire route will operate under one flight number, TK181.

Operated three times a week, the route is expected to be served by Turkish Airline’s latest Boeing 787-9 aircraft that features a novel business class offering.

Commenting on the latest addition to its global network, Ahmet Olmuştur, chief marketing officer at Turkish Airlines, said: We are very pleased to announce this service to Mexico on Turkish Airlines.

As the flag carrier of Turkey, we are continuously looking to expand our network in order to present our quality-focused and service-centric concept to new destinations. Mexico is a country that has been on our radar for some time, and this new route marks a very exciting milestone for us.

The new route will be operated from the newly-minted Istanbul Airport.

Though currently still in developed, the new hub is expected to be able to process 200 million passengers a year, once all phases are completed.

Over the course of 2019, the carrier is expected to launch flights to six new destinations.

The upcoming additions include Marrakesh, Sharjah, Port Sudan, Bali, Luxor, and Rovaniemi.


Tourism Observer

TURKEY: Terror Attacks Cause Suffering To Turkey's Hospitality, Tourism And Travel Industries

Stunning architecture, a rich and ancient history, beautiful beaches and a bustling urban nightlife have long drawn tourists from around the world to Turkey and its capital, Istanbul.

But after a recent spate of violence and terrorism in the country, its tourism industry, an important part of the nation’s economy, is suffering.

Tourism accounted for a little more than 12 percent of Turkey’s gross domestic product in 2014, significantly higher than the global average of roughly 9 percent, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

But, according to a bulletin published by the Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the country saw a massive, 30 percent dropoff in the number of visits by foreigners in January through November 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.

In contrast, the 2015 period was down just 1 percent from January to November 2014.

Gül Taner, a sales manager for GurTur Travel, an agency based out of Harbiye, a neighborhood in Istanbul, said that in the 25 years her company has been in business, the country has never gone through anything like the violence in 2016.

“Until last year we never seen attacks like this,” Taner said. “This is a different chapter in Turkish history.”

“Terrorist attacks are negatively affecting all sectors of Turkish life right now and not just tourism,” she said.

A New Year’s attack in an Istanbul nightclub left 39 dead, a massacre for which ISIS claimed responsibility. ISIS was also blamed by Turkish authorities for an assault at the Istanbul airport in June that killed 41 and the terror group claimed responsibility for at least two other deadly bombings in the city in 2016.

In the mass shooting at the Reina nightclub on New Year’s morning, many of those killed or injured were foreigners from a diverse array of countries including Belgium, France, India, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, according to Turkish media.

Taner said she’s hopeful that the spate of terror attacks will slow that visitors hesitant visiting the country now will change their minds.

“I will always wish good things for my country,” she said.